RETORT HEATING APPARATUS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A retort heating apparatus for processing feed material, the retort heating apparatus comprising:
- a heating chamber bounded at least in part by a side wall;
a plurality of vertically and horizontally spaced apart baffles at least partially disposed within the heating chamber, each baffle comprising an elongated body having a top surface, at least a portion of the top surface comprising a substantially planar first side face and a substantially planar second side face that are disposed in diverging planes, wherein each of the plurality of baffles has a common maximum width, the plurality of baffles comprising;
a first row of baffles each horizontally separated by a first distance, the first distance being substantially equal to or less than the common maximum width; and
a second row of baffles each horizontally separated by the first distance, the second row of baffles being vertically separated from the first row by a second distance, each baffle of the second row being disposed substantially midway between corresponding baffles of the first row; and
means for heating the feed material within the heating chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A retort heating apparatus for processing a feed material includes a heating chamber bound at least in part by said wall. A plurality of baffles are at least partially dispoused with the heating chamber. Each baffle includes an elongated body having a top surface, at least a portion of the top surface being arched. The plurality of baffles are vertically and horizontally spaced apart so that substantially all of the feed material that vertically passes through the heating chamber is horizontally displaced as the feed material passes by the baffles. Systems are also provided for heating the feed material within the heating chamber.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A retort heating apparatus for processing feed material, the retort heating apparatus comprising:
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a heating chamber bounded at least in part by a side wall;
a plurality of vertically and horizontally spaced apart baffles at least partially disposed within the heating chamber, each baffle comprising an elongated body having a top surface, at least a portion of the top surface comprising a substantially planar first side face and a substantially planar second side face that are disposed in diverging planes, wherein each of the plurality of baffles has a common maximum width, the plurality of baffles comprising;
a first row of baffles each horizontally separated by a first distance, the first distance being substantially equal to or less than the common maximum width; and
a second row of baffles each horizontally separated by the first distance, the second row of baffles being vertically separated from the first row by a second distance, each baffle of the second row being disposed substantially midway between corresponding baffles of the first row; and
means for heating the feed material within the heating chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for processing a feed material, the method comprising:
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passing a feed material down through a plurality of vertically spaced apart rows of baffles that are horizontally disposed within a heating chamber of a retort, each of the rows of baffles comprising a plurality of horizontally spaced apart baffles, the plurality of baffles within adjacent rows being horizontally staggered so that the baffles in one row are positioned between the baffles of the adjacent row, the baffles being sized and spaced so that substantially all of the feed material that vertically passes down through the heating chamber is horizontally displaced as the feed material passes by the baffles;
heating the feed material within the heating chamber such that the feed material emits an oil vapor;
collecting the oil vapor emitted within the heating chamber; and
condensing the oil vapor into an oil. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for processing a feed material, the method comprising:
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passing a feed material down through a heating chamber of a retort, the heating chamber having a first row of baffles disposed therein, each baffle of the first row having a common maximum width and being horizontally spaced apart by a first distance that is substantially equal to or less than the common maximum width;
passing the feed material down through a second row of baffles vertically spaced apart from the first row of baffles by a second distance, each baffle of the second row being horizontally spaced apart by the first distance, each baffle of the second row being disposed substantially midway between corresponding baffles of the first row such that substantially all of the feed material that vertically passes down through the heating chamber is horizontally displaced as the feed material passes by the baffles;
heating the feed material within the heating chamber such that the feed material emits an oil vapor;
collecting the oil vapor emitted within the heating chamber; and
condensing the oil vapor into an oil.
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Specification